Bottle cleaning plant

Abstract

A bottle cleaning plant (1) is provided comprising a base (2) developing predominantly along a main plane (2a) and adapted to rest on a ground or floor; movement means (3) designed to move at least one bottle (10) along a predetermined path developing around a central axis (3a), to unload the bottle (10) onto an external conveyor (11), and including an annular frame (30) rotating with respect to the base (2), at least one handling assembly (31) integral with the frame (30) and comprising at least one grasping apparatus (4) including an arm (40) developing along a secondary axis (4a) radial to the central axis (3a) and loosely constrained to the frame (30), and a gripping portion (41) integral with the arm (40); at least one cleaning device (5) integral with the frame (30), placed at the handling assembly(31) and configured to blow air; wherein the base (2) comprises a first cam (20) interacting with the cleaning means (5) and configured to determine along a circular path (2b) at least a first section (20a) in which the cleaning means (5) are in the rest position and a second section (20b) in which the cleaning means (5) are in the use position; a second cam (21) interacting with the arm (40) and configured to determine at least a first area (21a) in which the arm (40) is in the retracted position, and a second area (21b) at least partially overlapping the second section (20b) in which the arm (40) is in the extracted position; and wherein the plant (1) comprises a single motor (6) configured to rotate the frame (30) to determine the totality of the positions.

Description

BOTTLE CLEANING PLANT

[0001] The present invention relates to a bottle cleaning plant of the type specified in the preamble of the first claim.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a plant adapted to allow the cleaning, by means of blowing and suction, of the internal volume of bottles, preferably for cosmetic and pharmaceutical use, starting from the inlet mouth.

[0003] As is known, when dealing with bottles for cosmetic and pharmaceutical use, it is appropriate to clean them before use. In particular, thanks to the technique of blowing sterile air and suctioning product residues, it is possible to achieve optimal cleaning of the bottle.

[0004] Cleaning plants that allow the cleaning of bottles generally include movement means adapted to allow the movement of one or more bottles along a predetermined path and in such a way that the bottle performs a movement adapted to ensure the interaction with cleaning means before unloading the cleaned bottle onto a conveyor belt.

[0005] The cleaning means normally perform a pressure blowing inside the volume enclosed by the bottle and a suction of residues that may already be present inside the bottle or that are removed from the internal surface by the blowing.

[0006] In detail, the movement means may be configured to rotate the bottle upside down before and after the cleaning in such a way as to arrange the bottle head-down during blowing and to promote the falling down of the residues, externally to the plant, during suction.

[0007] Then, at the end of the cleaning, the bottle may be rotated upwards again in order to allow its unloading onto a conveyor belt that transports the cleaned bottles away from the cleaning plant.

[0008] The known technique described includes some significant drawbacks.

[0009] In particular, each of the movements provided for the transport and cleaning of the bottles requires its own motor to enable its actuation.

[0010] This entails a considerable cost, both in terms of components involved within the plant and in terms of the power supply necessary for the operation of the plant. Furthermore, the multitude of motors must be coordinated by a control system that synchronizes the movement optimally so as to make the cleaning process fast and efficient.

[0011] In this situation, the technical task underlying the present invention is to devise a bottle cleaning plant capable of substantially overcoming at least part of the mentioned drawbacks.

[0012] Within the scope of said technical task, an important aim of the invention is to obtain a bottle cleaning plant provided with the smallest possible number of motors so as to reduce both the number of components and the power consumption required to power the movement means.

[0013] Another important aim of the invention is to implement a bottle cleaning plant that ensures the correct synchronization of the various movements without the need to employ complex control systems.

[0014] In conclusion, a further task of the invention is to obtain a bottle cleaning plant that allows the cleaning of the bottles to be carried out quickly and efficiently.

[0015] The technical task and the specified aims are achieved by a bottle cleaning plant as claimed in the annexed claim 1.

[0016] Preferred technical solutions are highlighted in the dependent claims.

[0017] The characteristics and advantages of the invention are clarified below by the detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a side sectional view of a bottle cleaning plant according to the invention with the cleaning device in the use position and the arm in the extracted position; Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the bottle cleaning plant of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a top view of a bottle cleaning plant according to the invention; Figure 4 represents a top view of the second cam of a bottle cleaning plant according to the invention; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a bottle cleaning plant according to the invention in which the path followed by the bottles during the movement of the frame with respect to the base is schematically shown; Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of the manipulator of a bottle cleaning plant according to the invention; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of the cleaning device of a bottle cleaning plant according to the invention.

[0018] In the present document, measurements, values, shapes and geometric references (such as perpendicularity and parallelism), when associated with words like "approximately" or other similar terms such as "almost" or "substantially", are to be understood as subject to measurement errors or inaccuracies due to production and / or manufacturing errors and, above all, to a slight deviation from the value, measurement, shape or geometric reference to which they are associated. For example, such terms, if associated with a value, preferably indicate a deviation not greater than 10% of the value itself.

[0019] Furthermore, when used, terms such as "first", "second", "upper", "lower", "main" and "secondary" do not necessarily identify an order, a priority of relationship or relative position, but may simply be used to more clearly distinguish between different components.

[0020] Unless otherwise specified, as results from the following discussions, it is considered that terms such as "processing", "computing", "determining", "calculating", or similar, refer to the action and / or processes of a computer or similar electronic computing device that manipulates and / or transforms data represented as physical quantities, such as electronic magnitudes of registers of a computer system and / or memories, into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within computer systems, registers or other devices for storing, transmitting or displaying information.

[0021] Measurements and data reported in the present text are to be considered, unless otherwise indicated, as carried out in ICAO International Standard Atmosphere (ISO 2533:1975).

[0022] With reference to the Figures, the bottle cleaning plant according to the invention is globally denoted by the number 1.

[0023] The plant 1 is preferably adapted to allow the cleaning of the internal volume of bottles 10.

[0024] The bottles 10, as is known, are substantially containers provided with a casing and an inlet mouth. The bottles 10 are preferably, but not necessarily, containers for cosmetic and pharmaceutical use.

[0025] Cleaning is preferably carried out by the blowing at the inlet mouth of the bottle 10. Furthermore, the plant 1 is adapted to interact with a conveyor 11. Optionally, the invention may include a bottle movement device comprising a plant 1 and a conveyor 11.

[0026] The conveyor 11, which is external to the plant 1, is substantially a device configured to transport bottles 10 away from the plant 1 once the cleaning step has been completed. Therefore, the conveyor 11 may comprise, for example, a conveyor belt on which bottles 10 may be placed in order to convey them along a predetermined path.

[0027] It may be of a known type.

[0028] The plant 1 therefore comprises at least one base 2.

[0029] The base 2 is substantially a support element relating to the structure of the plant 1. In particular, the base 2 is adapted to rest on a ground or floor. In this regard, preferably, the base 2 extends predominantly along a main plane 2a.

[0030] The main plane 2a is substantially a virtual element that represents the main extension of the base 2.

[0031] The plant 1 therefore also comprises movement means 3.

[0032] The movement means 3 are adapted to move at least one bottle 10, preferably a plurality of bottles, along a predetermined path. For example, the predetermined path may be circular.

[0033] In fact, preferably, the main path develops around a central axis 3a.

[0034] The central axis 3a is preferably perpendicular to the main plane 2a.

[0035] Therefore, the central axis 3a may also represent, for the movement means 3, a barycentric axis.

[0036] In any case, the movement means 3 are also adapted to unload the bottle 10, or the bottles 10, onto the external conveyor 11. Therefore, the movement means 3 consists of the portion of the plant 1 that moves the bottles 10 along the predetermined path to allow their cleaning and that, after cleaning, unloads the bottles 10 onto the conveyor 11 for taking them away.

[0037] The movement means 3 therefore comprise at least one frame 30.

[0038] The frame 30 is an annular element that preferably extends around the central axis 3a.

[0039] Furthermore, it is loosely constrained to the base 2 in such a way as to be able to rotate around the central axis 3a with respect to the base 2. Therefore, the frame 30 operates as a rotor with respect to the base which operates as a stator.

[0040] The movement means 3 therefore also comprise at least one handling assembly 31 31.

[0041] The handling assembly 31 is integral with the frame 30. Therefore, it rotates integrally with it. The handling assembly 31 is, in particular, configured to handle the bottles 10 at the peripheral area of the frame 30 and, in detail, to handle them radially to the central axis 3a towards the outside of the frame 30.

[0042] In this regard, preferably, the handling assembly 31 comprises at least one grasping apparatus 4.

[0043] The grasping apparatus 4 is, as the term itself suggests, adapted to allow the gripping of at least one bottle 10.

[0044] The grasping apparatus 4 therefore comprises an arm 40.

[0045] The arm 40 is substantially a structural elongate element. For example, the arm 40 may be made up of a rod or a bar.

[0046] In detail, the arm 40 extends along a secondary axis 4a.

[0047] The secondary axis 4a is radial with respect to the central axis 3a. Therefore, the arm 40 extends radially to the central axis 3a. Furthermore, it is loosely constrained to the frame 30 in such a way as to be able to translate along the secondary axis 4a with respect to the frame 30.

[0048] The manipulator 4 further comprises a gripping portion 41.

[0049] The gripping portion 41 is integral with the arm 40. Furthermore, the gripping portion 41 is configured to stably grip a bottle 10.

[0050] In this regard, the gripping portion 41 may comprise at least one selected of a clamp and pneumatic suction cups. The clamp, as is known, is a mechanical element provided with two jaws their opening being variable to allow the gripping of an object, in this case the bottle 10.

[0051] The pneumatic suction cups are elements adapted to adhere to the outer surface of the bottle 10 and that can be subjected to vacuum in order to exert a gripping force on the outer surface.

[0052] The plant 1 also naturally comprises a cleaning device 5.

[0053] The cleaning device 5 is preferably integral with the frame 30. Furthermore, the cleaning device 5 is placed at the handling assembly 31 in order to interact with the bottle 10.

[0054] The cleaning device 5 is therefore configured to blow air parallel to the central axis 3a in a direction opposite to the base 2, i.e. upwards when the plant 1 is resting on the ground or floor.

[0055] Furthermore, preferably, the cleaning device 5 is also configured to suction air in an opposite direction to the blowing direction. Therefore, the cleaning device 5 is capable of removing dirt from the bottle 10 and sucking in any debris or other residues to prevent them from being dispersed.

[0056] In any case, such cleaning devices 5 are known to those skilled in the art.

[0057] The plant 1 comprises further features.

[0058] The base 2 advantageously comprises at least a first cam 20.

[0059] The first cam 20 interacts with the cleaning means 5. Furthermore, the first cam 20 is configured to determine a first section 20a and a second section 20b along a path 2b.

[0060] The path 2b is a circular path developing around the central axis 3a.

[0061] Therefore, the path 2b is substantially described by the rotation of the frame 30 around the central axis 3a.

[0062] The first section 20a is the section in which the cleaning means 5 are in the rest position. In the rest position, the cleaning means 5 are spaced from the handling assembly 31 as they do not interact with it.

[0063] The second section 20b is the section in which the cleaning means 5 are in the use position. In the use position, the cleaning means 5 are brought closer to the handling assembly 31 in order to interact with it.

[0064] From a structural point of view, the first cam 20 may comprise a guiding surface 200. The guiding surface 200 is preferably transverse to the central axis 3a. Furthermore, the guiding surface 200 may be made of the entire upper surface of the base 2, i.e., the surface opposite the support portion, or by a part thereof. For example, the guiding surface 200 is constituted by a circular crown, preferably peripheral, that preferably develops along the path 2b.

[0065] Therefore, the cleaning device 5 preferably comprises a second touch probe 50.

[0066] The second touch probe 50 is configured to slide on the guiding surface 200. In particular, the second touch probe 50 is configured to slide along the guiding surface 200 by following the path 2b. In this regard, the second touch probe 50 may have a smooth end, resting on the guiding surface 200, of the cleaning device 5 and / or by a rotating disk on the guiding surface 200.

[0067] Therefore, the guiding surface 200 may comprise a depression 200a. If present, the depression 200a extends along the second section 20b. At the depression 200a, the second touch probe 50 translates parallel to the central axis 3a, when moved along said path 2b, so as to reach the use position. In other words, at the depression 200a, the cleaning device 5 is lifted with respect to the main plane 2a so as to approach the handling assembly 31.

[0068] The base 2 furthermore advantageously also comprises a second cam 21.

[0069] The second cam 21 interacts with the manipulator 4, in particular with the arm 40. Therefore, the second cam 21 is configured to determine, parallel to the path 2b, at least a first area 21a and a second area 21b.

[0070] In the first area 21a, the arm 40 is preferably in a retracted position. Therefore, the arm 40 is spaced from the cleaning means 5 along a radial direction from the central axis 3a. In this position, the bottle 10 adhered to the gripping means 41 is substantially placed at the perimeter of the frame 30.

[0071] In the second area 21b, the arm 40 is in an extracted position. Therefore, the arm 40 is brought closer, radially to the central axis 3a, to the cleaning means 5. In this position, the bottle 10 adhered to the gripping means 41 is substantially placed outside the perimeter of the frame 30.

[0072] Also in this case, from a structural point of view, the second cam 21 may include specific features. In particular, the second cam 21 comprises a guide profile 210. The guide profile 210 preferably develops parallel to and around the central axis 3a. Therefore, the arm 40, similarly to the cleaning means 5, comprises a first touch probe 400.

[0073] The first touch probe 400 is placed at its own end opposite the gripping portion 41. Therefore, the first touch probe 400 is also configured to slide on the guide profile 210 parallel to the path 2b. Naturally, during the sliding, the arm 40, and the touch probe 400 itself, may perform translations along the secondary axis 4a.

[0074] In fact, the guide profile 210 preferably comprises at least a circular portion 210a and a recessed portion 210c.

[0075] The circular portion 210a preferably extends along the second area 21b. At the circular portion 210a, preferably, the first touch probe 400 maintains a predetermined distance with respect to the secondary axis 4a when moved along the second area 21b. In this way, the first touch probe 400 stably realizes the extracted position of the arm 40.

[0076] The recessed portion 210c instead extends along the first area 21a. It represents a recess with respect to the circular portion 210a and, therefore, the guide profile 210 is, at the recessed portion 210c, closer to the central axis 3a.

[0077] Therefore, at the recessed portion 210c, preferably the first touch probe 400 translates parallel to the secondary axis 4a when moved along the path 2b so as to reach said retracted position of the arm 40.

[0078] The second cam 21 may also allow the identification of a further position of the arm 40.

[0079] In fact, the second cam 21 may further determine a third area 21c.

[0080] In the third area 21c, preferably, the arm 40 is in an unloading position. Therefore, the arm 40, and in detail the gripping portion 41, is brought closer, radially to the central axis 3a, to the conveyor 11. Furthermore, in the unloading position, the arm 40 goes beyond the extracted position and is therefore further spaced from the central axis 3a with respect to said extracted position.

[0081] Therefore, the same guide profile 210 may comprise a protruding portion 210b.

[0082] Dually to the recessed portion 210c, the protruding position 210b extends along the third area 21c. It represents a protrusion with respect to the circular portion 210a and, therefore, the guide profile 210 is, at the protruding portion 210b, further away from the central axis 3a.

[0083] Therefore, at the protruding portion 210b, preferably the first touch probe 400 translates parallel to the secondary axis 4a when moved along the path 2b so as to realize the unloading position of the arm 40.

[0084] Preferably, the unloading position is realized when the touch probe 400 is moved along the path 2b with respect to the circular portion 210a, thus passing from the extracted position to the unloading position. The retracted position is instead realized when the touch probe 400 is moved along the path 2b with respect to the protruding portion 210b, thus passing from the unloading position to the retracted position. This occurs because, in the retracted position of the arm 40, the gripping portion 41 grasps a bottle 10, which is then cleaned, and finally unloaded at the conveyor 11, then returns to the initial position.

[0085] Thanks to the presence of the cams 20, 21, the plant 1 may comprise a further feature.

[0086] In particular, advantageously, the plant 1 comprises a single motor 6.

[0087] The motor 6 is therefore configured to rotate the frame 30 around the central axis 3a with respect to the base 2 to determine the totality of the positions.

[0088] Additional positions may be added to the aforementioned ones.

[0089] In fact, preferably, the handling assembly 31 also comprises a third cam 42.

[0090] If present, the third cam 42 is integral with the frame 30. Furthermore, the third cam 42 interacts with the arm 40. Therefore, the third cam 42 is configured to determine, when the arm 40 is moved along the secondary axis 4a, a rotation of the arm 40 around the secondary axis 4a proportional to the movement along the secondary axis 4a.

[0091] Even more in detail, the third cam 42 determines at least a first orientation, a second orientation and a third orientation of the gripping portion 41.

[0092] Preferably, the first orientation of the gripping portion 41 is determined when the arm 40 is in the retracted position.

[0093] The second orientation of the gripping portion 41 is instead determined when the arm 40 is in the extracted position. In detail, the second orientation is opposite to the first orientation; this means that the gripping portion 41, and the arm 40, perform a rotation of 180° with respect to the first orientation.

[0094] The third orientation of the gripping portion 41 is instead determined when the arm 40 is in the unloading position. In detail, the third orientation is opposite to the second orientation or, in other words, concordant with the first orientation; this means that the gripping portion 41, and the arm 40, perform a rotation of 180° with respect to the second orientation.

[0095] Therefore, during the movement of the arm 40 along the secondary axis 4a, by virtue of the third cam 42, the bottle 10 grasped by the gripping portion 41 in the first orientation may initially have the access mouth facing upward, i.e., in an opposite direction to the base 2, then may be turned downward, with the gripping portion 41 in the second orientation, so that the mouth is accessible by the cleaning device 5 in the use position, and may then be turned upside up again with the gripping portion 41 in the third orientation so as to allow the bottom of the bottle 10 to rest on a possible conveyor belt of the conveyor 11.

[0096] From a structural point of view, to realize the various orientations, the arm 40 may comprise a pivot 40a. The pivot 40a preferably extends radially to the secondary axis 4a.

[0097] Therefore, the third cam 42 may, in turn, comprise a guide 42a. If present, the guide 42a is helical. Furthermore, it develops around the arm 40 helically along the secondary axis 4a.

[0098] The guide 42a houses the pivot 40a in such a way as to guide it along the helix during the translation of the arm 40 along the secondary axis 4a.

[0099] The plant 1 may finally comprise further features.

[0100] In particular, the handling assembly31 may comprise a housing 7.

[0101] If present, the housing 7 is preferably tubular; therefore, the housing 7 extends transversely to the secondary axis 4a.

[0102] The housing 7 is configured to accommodate one or more lined up bottles 10.

[0103] In turn, the manipulator 4 preferably passes through the housing 7 at one end thereof and along the secondary axis 4a.

[0104] Therefore, the manipulator 4 is configured in such a way that, when the arm 40 is in the retracted position, the gripping portion 41 is placed between the one or more lined up bottles 10 and the central axis 3a so as to be able to grasp one said bottle 10 before moving to the extracted position.

[0105] Since the bottles 10 are preferably lined up in an orderly manner in the housing 7, preferably the plant 1 also comprises an orientator.

[0106] The orientator, known per se, is mechanically connected to the motor 6. Furthermore, the orientator is configured in such a way as to allow the by gravity falling down into the housing 7 according to a predetermined orientation of one or more bottles 10.

[0107] The fall preferably occurs from one end of the housing 7 opposite to the manipulator 4.

[0108] Naturally, the movement means 3 described so far comprise at least one handling assembly 31, and could therefore also comprise many.. If present in a number greater than one, the handling assemblies 31 are distributed around the central axis 3a on the frame 30. Therefore, the plant 1 preferably also comprises a plurality of respective cleaning devices 5 also distributed around the central axis 3a on the frame 30.

[0109] The operation of the bottle cleaning plant 1 previously described in structural terms is as follows.

[0110] Substantially, the orientator causes a column of oriented bottles 10 to fall into the housings 7 of the handling assemblies 31. Then, each manipulator 4 grasps, by means of the gripping portion 41, a respective bottle 10.

[0111] Each manipulator 4 is moved, integrally with the frame 30, parallel to the path 2b. During the rotation, the arm 40 translates at first defining the retracted position, then the extracted position, with the gripping portion in the second orientation and the bottle 10 facing downward. In this position, the cleaning device 5 moves to the use position, thanks to the depression 200a, and interacts with the bottle 10, preferably starting from the inlet mouth, to clean it.

[0112] Then, once the cleaning is completed, the cleaning device returns to the rest position and the arm 40 moves to the unloading position with the gripping portion 41 in the third orientation. Once the cleaned bottle 10 is unloaded, the arm 40 returns to the retracted position, ready to grasp another bottle 10.

[0113] The return to the retracted position also marks the end of the path 2b and the beginning of a new circular path 2b.

[0114] The bottle cleaning plant 1 according to the invention achieves significant advantages.

[0115] In fact, the bottle cleaning plant 1 is provided with the smallest possible number of motors, specifically one single motor, to reduce both the number of components and the power consumption required to operate the movement means.

[0116] Furthermore, the bottle cleaning plant 1 ensures the correct synchronization of the various movements without having to use complex control system.

[0117] In conclusion, the bottle cleaning plant 1 enables the cleaning of bottles to be carried out quickly and efficiently.

[0118] The invention is susceptible to variations falling within the scope of the inventive concept defined by the claims.

[0119] Within such scope, all the details may be replaced by equivalent elements and the materials, shapes and dimensions may be any.

Claims

1. Bottle cleaning plant (1) comprising: - a base (2) developing predominantly along a main plane (2a) and adapted to rest on a ground or floor; - movement means (3) adapted to move at least one bottle (10) along a predetermined path developing around a central axis (3a) perpendicular to said main plane (2a), to unload said bottle (10) onto an external conveyor (11) and including: - an annular frame (30) developing around said central axis (3a) and loosely constrained to said base (2) in such a way that it can rotate around said central axis (3a) with respect to said base (2), - at least one handling assembly(31) integral with said frame (30) and comprising at least one grasping device (4) including: - an arm (40) developing along a secondary axis (4a) radial respect to said central axis (3a) and loosely constrained to said frame (30) so that it can translate along said secondary axis (4a) relative to said frame (30), and - a gripping portion (41) integral with said arm (40) and configured to stably gasp one of said bottles (10); - at least one cleaning device (5) integral with said frame (30), placed at said at least one handling assembly(31) to be able to interact with said bottle (10) and configured to blow air parallel to said central axis (3a) in an opposite direction to said base (2); and characterized in that - said base (2) comprises: - a first cam (20) interacting with said cleaning device (5) and configured to determine along a circular path (2b) developing around said central axis (3a) at least: - a first section (20a) in which said cleaning device (5) is in a rest position spaced apart from said handling assembly (31), and - a second section (20b) in which said cleaning device (5) is in the position of use closer to said handling assembly (31); - a second cam (21) interacting with said arm (40) and configured to determine parallel to said path (2b) at least: - a first area (21a) in which said arm (40) is in a retracted position spaced from said cleaning device (5), along a radial direction to said central axis (3a) and - a second area (21b) at least partially overlapping said second section (20b) in which said arm (40) is in an extracted position brought closer to said cleaning device (5) along a radial direction to said central axis (3a); and in that - said plant (1) comprises a single motor (6) configured to rotate said frame (30) about said central axis (3a) with respect to said base (2) to determine the totality of said positions.

2. Plant (1) according to claim 1, wherein said handling assembly (31) comprises a third cam (42) integral with said frame (30) and interacting with said arm (40) and configured to determine, when said arm (40) is moved along said secondary axis (4a), a rotation of said arm (40) around said secondary axis (4a) proportional to said movement.

3. Plant (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said second cam (21) further determines a third area (21c) wherein said arm (40) is in an unloading position brought close with respect to said central axis (3a) to said conveyor (11) and more spaced apart, with respect to said extracted position, from said central axis (3a), and said third cam (42) determines: - a first orientation of said gripping portion (41) when said arm (40) is in said retracted position, - a second orientation of said gripping portion (41) opposite to said first orientation when said arm (40) is in said extracted position, and - a third orientation of said gripping portion (41) concordant with said first orientation when said arm (40) is in said unloading position.

4. Plant (1) according to any one of claims 2-3, wherein said arm (40) comprises a pivot (40a) developing radially with respect to said secondary axis (4a); and said third cam (42) comprises a helical guide (42a) developing around said arm (40) along said secondary axis (4a) housing said pivot (40a).

5. Plant (1) according to any one of claims 3-4, wherein said second cam (21) comprises a guide profile (210) developing parallel to and around said central axis (3a), said arm (40) comprises at an opposite end said gripping portion (41) a first touch probe (400) configured to slide on said guide profile (210) parallel to said path (2b), and said guide profile (210) comprises: - a circular portion (210a) extending along said second area (21b) and at which said first touch probe (400) maintains a predetermined distance from said central axis (3a) when moved along said second area (21b) so as to stably achieve said extracted position, - a protruding portion (210b) extending along said third area (21c) and at which said first touch probe (400) translates parallel to said secondary axis (4a) when moved along said path (2b) from said circular portion (210a) so as to reach said unloading position, and - a recessed portion (210c) extending along said first area (21a) and at which said first touch probe (400) translates parallel to said secondary axis (4a) when moved along said path (2b) from said protruding portion (210b) so as to realize said retracted position.

6. Plant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first cam (20) comprises a guiding surface (200) transverse to said central axis (3a), said cleaning device (5) comprises a second touch probe (50) configured to slide on said guiding surface (200) along said path (2b); and said guiding surface (200) comprises at least one depression (200a) extending along said second section (20b) and at which said second touch probe (50) translates parallel to said central axis (3a) when moved along said path (2b) so as to realize said use position.

7. A plant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said gripping portion (41) comprises at least one between a pneumatic gripper and suction cups.

8. Plant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said handling assembly (31) comprises a tubular housing (7) developing transversely to said secondary axis (4a) and configured to accommodate one or more of said bottles (10) lined up; said grasping apparatus (4) traversing said housing (7) at one end of said housing (7) and along said secondary axis (4a) and is configured so that, when said arm (40) is in a retracted position, said gripping portion (41) is placed between said one or more said bottles (10) that are lined up and so that said central axis (3a) is able to grasp said one bottle (10) before shifting to said extracted position9. A plant (1) according to the preceding claim, comprising an orientator mechanically connected to said motor (6) and configured so as to allow the fall by gravity according to a predetermined orientation of said one or more bottles (10) into said housing (7) from an end of said housing (7) opposite to said grasping apparatus (4).

10. Plant (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said handling means (3) comprise a plurality of said handling assembly (31) and said plant (1) comprises a plurality of respective said cleaning device (5) distributed around said central axis (3a) on said frame (30).

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